Charges stem from abuse of disabled man

A Westerville man could be facing nearly a decade and a half in prison after allegedly abusing the disabled man who was in his care.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Yusuf Sankoh, 34, of 864 Tradewind Dr., Westerville. Sankoh is charged with one count each of felonious assault, assault and abduction.
Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said Sankoh had been hired to care for a 55-year-old, developmentally disabled individual. He would often work overnight in the man’s home.
“Because of his developmental disability, he needs a caregiver, which the family pays for, around the clock,” Phillips said.
He said family members had some concerns and had “several cameras inside the home.”
According to court documents, on the night of Jan. 19 and Jan. 20, Sankoh was to be caring for the man. Phillips said that cameras caught a portion of the evening’s events, but not others. Phillips said Sankoh allegedly “abused him in a variety of manors.”
“He (the victim) had pretty significant bruising on some very sensitive parts of his body,” Phillips said.
Phillips said the man tried to get out of a chair and Sankoh would allegedly “push him down and hold him down.”
The prosecutor said Sankoh’s alleged actions caused “both serious physical pain and caused him fear.”
The victim was taken to Memorial Hospital where he was treated. He is also being treated by a family physician for injuries from the evening.
Also indicted was:
– Reico Antuon Henderson, 38, whose court-listed address is the Tri-County Regional Jail. Henderson is charged with one count each of domestic violence and intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness in a criminal case.
According to court documents, on Feb. 9, Henderson allegedly grabbed a local woman by the throat, allegedly causing her to nearly lose consciousness. Phillips said the woman had swelling around her neck.
After his arrest, Henderson allegedly made a series of phone calls from the jail to the victim.
Domestic violence is often charged as a misdemeanor. However, after a first conviction, future allegations are charged as felonies. Henderson has at least three prior domestic violence convictions.
If convicted on all accounts, Henderson could face more than five years in prison.
– Karl Stanley Brungard, 47, of Oxford. Brungard is charged with one count of illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto grounds of a specified governmental facility, stemming from a June 24 arrest. If convicted, Brungard could face as many as five years in prison.
– Michael Berdean Cox, 32, and his wife Lacey Briann Cox, 30, both of 937 Underwood Ave., Marion.
Michael and Lacey are each charged with one count of burglary. Phillips said the pair had been identified by loss prevention specialists, “from other thefts.”
Phillips said Michael and Lacey had both been told not to come onto Walmart property again. According to court documents, on Jan. 16, the pair allegedly tried to walk out of the store with a variety of electronics and toys.
Michael has also been charged with passing bad checks and grand theft after he allegedly made a series of deposits at a local credit union, between March and May of 2018. Court documents alleged he knew the deposits, totaling $7,930, would not be honored.
If convicted on all charges, Lacey could face as many as eight years in prison. Michael could face as many as 11 years in prison.
– Caseie Sue Stidham, also known as Caseie Hess, 33, of 14459 Route 347, Marysville. Stidham is charged with one count each of vandalism and tampering with evidence. According to court documents, between November 2018 and January of this year, Stidham damaged a court-issued GPS ankle monitor.
– Keysha Wilson, 33, whose court-listed address is the Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW). Wilson is charged with one count of illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto grounds of a specified governmental facility.
Wilson is at ORW serving a 15-year sentence for three aggravated robbery convictions and a gun specification. According to court documents, on June 24 Wilson allegedly attempted to bring a drug of abuse into the prison. If convicted, Wilson could face an additional five years in prison. She is currently not scheduled for release until October 2026.
– Austin Theodore Miller, 23, 220 Beatty Ave., Richwood. Miller is charged with one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. According to court documents, on May 18, Miller had sexual conduct with a 15-year-old child. If convicted on all counts, Miller could face as many as 18 months in prison.
– Rondrell D. McBride, 39, of Lewis Center. McBride is charged with one count of vehicular assault.
According to court documents, about 4:41 a.m., Jan. 24, McBride was driving a semi-tractor and trailer north on Route 31 in Taylor Township.
McBride attempted to pass another semi, but could not complete the maneuver inside the passing zone. The trucks approached the crest of a hill while McBride was still in the southbound lane. A vehicle coming over the hill saw the two trucks and tried to stop.
“The driver immediately hits the breaks, but because of the road conditions, began to slide,” Phillips said.
McBride’s truck hit the car. The driver suffered “serious physical harm” as a result of the crash.
“We viewed the incident and decided it qualified for more than a citation,” Phillips said.
If convicted on all counts, McBride could face as many as 18 months in prison.